Son Heung-min, South Korea’s captain and key player for over 15 years, remains confident ahead of the 2026 World Cup despite not scoring in the current MLS season [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Son transferred from Tottenham Hotspur to Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer in August 2025 but has scored only two goals for his new club so far [1, 3, 5]. He has yet to find the net in the current MLS campaign [2, 4].
Son has scored 54 goals in approximately 142-143 international appearances and holds the South Korean record for World Cup goals with three, tying with Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan [1, 2, 3, 5]. South Korea reached the last 16 at the 2022 World Cup but lost 4-1 to Brazil in that round [1, 2, 3, 5].
Despite recent struggles in friendlies, including a 4-0 loss to Ivory Coast and 1-0 defeat by Austria, Son says he is not worried by his scoring drought. "A lot of people are worried, but I’m only worried if I’m not playing well. I don’t think it’s the case now. Physically, I am feeling great," he said [1]. He added, "If I put the team above all else and worry about how I can help the team first, then goals will naturally follow" and joked in other interviews that he might be "saving goals for the World Cup" [1, 2].
Coach Hong Myung-bo affirmed his support, saying, "Son Heung-min is the heart of our team and I have never once doubted that," even though Son has become unpopular with some fans [1, 3, 5]. South Korea went unbeaten in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, but fan confidence remains low going into the tournament [1, 3, 5].
South Korea’s group opponents at the 2026 World Cup include the Czech Republic, South Africa, and co-host Mexico [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Their opening match is against the Czech Republic on June 11 in Guadalajara [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Ahead of that fixture, Son acknowledged the challenge, saying "we can't predict the future. Other teams will be preparing just as hard" [2, 3].
